Copyright 2010, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Originally published in Blakes Bulletin on Financial Services, August 2010
On August 7, 2010, the federal government published draft Regulations Amending the Designated Public Office Holder Regulations (the Proposed Regulations).
The Proposed Regulations implement the extension of the definition of "designated public office holder" (DPOH) first announced in May 2010 to include members of the House of Commons and Senate, certain staff of the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons and certain staff of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.
This will have a personal impact on these individuals – estimated to be approximately 400 in number – in that it will subject them to the five-year prohibition against lobbying applicable to DPOH. However, it will also extend the filing requirements applicable to consultant lobbyists and in-house lobbyists who "lobby" DPOH's to include these additional individuals. This will require an amendment to in-house lobbying policies, procedures and training to ensure that "lobbying" communications with these additional DPOH are reported and the required filings made.
There is a 30-day comment period, but it is expected that the Proposed Regulations will be finalized and become effective quickly.
A full review of the Lobbying Act and Regulations is expected to occur this fall.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.